14 Feb Veganism: a growing trend to be excited about!

There is a lot of change happening in the world and it’s easy to get very excited! People are starting to make a conscious effort to look at ingredients and whether or not they are beneficial, rather than just eating for convenience. Not to mention, that environmental issues and animal cruelty are being taken on head first, as we start to develop an understanding of how products are making their way to our shelves. There are many reasons people are switching to veganism: animal rights, health, environmental factors and ethical resourcing, and each have their own way of taking the diet on board but, let’s talk about some of the health benefits.

Now, I love the taste of meat as much as the next person; I eat it every day. But, unfortunately, our farmed animals are pumped with hormones to make more money off heavier livestock and organic meat is expensive and outside the budget for most families. As teenagers we joked about how the hormones in chickens were making girls develop earlier however, it’s not really that far-fetched. It’s a controversial topic and likely to open a can of worms but, we continue to eat this way because we are conditioned to. Consider this, if your parents never fed you meat as a child, are you sure you would still be eating it now?

OK let’s move on to the good stuff, the facts…

Long-term vegan diet health benefits include:

1. Reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, kidney stones and diabetes
2. 33% reduced risk of premature death
3. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
4. Reduced risk of obesity

Short-term health benefits include:

1. Increased energy
2. Increase in mental stability
3. Enhanced mood
4. Clearer skin
5. Reduced allergy symptoms
6. Stronger hair and nails
7. Migraine and PMS pain relief

In a previous blog, ‘Dairy is for Cows’, there is information about the acidity of animal protein. When consumed, the human body derives calcium, a high alkalising nutrient, from our bones to rectify the change in pH levels. Not to mention, the World Health Organisation (WHO) actually recommends a reduction of red and processed meats, due to the higher risk of colorectal cancer.

So, putting all that information together, you can see why there is a massive trend happening around the world. Many people love meat but, I cannot deny the health benefits behind being Vegan – I may just have to try it! It is important to be sure you eat the correct quality of foods in the right portion sizes, so if you need help with this please order a meal plan from us here or reach out to us via email if you have any questions!